Best Brand of Shoes

ShemRN · May 22, 2006

Everyone's feet are different. Try on a good selection of different styles if you can to see what's right for you.

And don't forget to see what your hospital/clinical policy dictates you can wear!

I personally LOVE Danskos (& wear them in the real world in non-nursing styles too).

I couldn't get the professional (closed back) style clog for work since I was too in between sizes, but the clog with the strap in back fits me well. Ingrid I think it's called.

Wore New Balance crosstrainers in school clincals -- and they didn't seem good to me at all. Sturdy, but very uncomfortable.

I prefer Sucony running shoes for comfort. A good clinical back up for me.

I tried on Crocks too since I see a lot of people wearing them - but once again, the inbetween size thing didn't work for me - and they were a bit too wide for my foot.

nursepotter05, RN · May 22, 2006

I have worn other brands, however I am sold on Merrell's. I have 2 pairs of them&I love them. If I wear another pair of shoes, I can really tell it by the end of the shift. I work in an ED, and everyone wears either Dansko, Birkenstock, or Merrell. i have been told that Dansko works better for people with flatter feet. I have really high arches, so that isn't a concern of mine!

beautifulb · May 22, 2006

As I posted earlier I love Dansko but I was just thinking. I remember years ago I used to buy the Dr. Scholl's clog with the heel strap (the white nurse-looking kind) and they were quite comfortable. Nice and cushy. I bought them at Walmart or Kmart for $20 and sometimes they were on sale for $10! I could replace my shoes like every 6 wks. if I wanted to.

Also, my feet aren't the best. There are so many shoes that I just can't wear, especially all the pretty ones .

nursingstudent2b2 · May 22, 2006

Where can I find an mBT retailer? I looked online without much luck. I can purchase them online but I'd like to try them on first if possible. Do these run true to size?

firefox828 · May 22, 2006

MERRELL works great for me.

stasher · May 24, 2006

Helpfull hint: There is some natural walking shoe store in the mall and I forget the name, but tell them you are in healthcare/nurse and they will give you 10% off. That is how I got my Dansko clogs.

shanrah · Jun 9, 2006

HI,

My bro in law is an orthopedic doc in an office with several podiatrists, and I get my shoes from one of the sites they use. It's www.oemedical.net

I love my Klogs that I use with a full Spenco orthotic, and I'll alternate between my Spira (shoes with coils that are covered so they don't look as odd as the zcoils), Klogs, and Birkenstock Bostons. I love my Crocs for short errands, but not for a 12 hour shift, I have high arches, and they do not offer enough support- so Danskos didn't work well for me either. I also like Anywears(the big "bubbles" on the bottom of the soles remind me of those big bubble wrap bubbles, and are very cushy), and have read good things about MBT Swiss Masai, but the prices are through the roof for this brand!($245'ish!). I think their site (http://www.swissmasaius.com) mentions that they will help tighten your tush, and even lose weight! From reviews I have read, they supposedly last a really long time, too. They do have a "plate" in the sole-( I think it is fiberglass), so kneeling in them in not advised. I probably would not purchase them for this reason, because I am up and down alot out of med drawers, etc. I know no one who has had these, so I cannot give an accurate review of this brand.

I have heard great things about Quarks as well, and have been thinking of trying a pair.

The site's prices are reasonable, they have sales on some of the styles:lol2: , and I think they even have a coupon code now for a percentage off, it can prob be found if googled, or if someone needs it, I could prob dig it up for you.

I am a stickler on good foot health, and love shoes outside of "nursing shoes", so I don't mind making the investment in a good pair, to have feet and legs that don't throb at the end of my shift, and I am able to feed my shoe fetish at the same time! (hehe). :lol2:

I also wear compression stockings of at least 16-20, and a thin pair of little anklet sockies so my shoes don't get that funky sweaty smell!

I know it was mentioned before in some of the threads- hydrating is important- and stretching when possible, too.

bandaidlady · Jun 13, 2006

I like Easy Spirit shoes myself. I have a very hard foot to fit and would almost prefer working a double shift to having to go shoe shopping :-P I have a short fat foot 6 double wide with a high instep and skinny heel. Talk about a nightmare anyway Easy Spirits are one of the few brands out there that make double wides in small sizes. Here is the link for my favorite Easy Spirit shoe. http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=search_results.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=4748&search=yes&bid=0

They are really really comfortable. Bandaidlady :-)

overlyrn · Jun 13, 2006

I've worn Quarkies for 2 yrs, and love 'em! They are really light, comfortable, and easy to keep clean. I think they are about 40.00.